Chen Shaopeng, a dedicated deputy of the Haidian District People's Congress in Beijing and an official of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, has long been committed to listening to the voices of the community he serves.
Earlier this year, in February, Chen was invited by local residents to visit their aging residential community, which had been facing persistent infrastructure challenges. During his visit, he identified a critical issue: the bathroom floor was elevated nearly 10 centimeters above the living room floor. This structural flaw, present since the building's construction in 1990, posed a significant difficulty for elderly residents. Complicating matters was the shared piping system, which prevented individual apartments from carrying out necessary renovations.
Understanding the impact of this issue on the daily lives of the elderly, residents expressed their hope that local authorities could intervene to resolve the problem. Chen took their concerns to heart, realizing that addressing the piping system's renovation required careful consideration of both safety and the quality of life of the community members.
Acting swiftly, Chen coordinated with the construction team overseeing the local water system renovations. He advocated for a comprehensive solution that would include lowering the bathroom floor height during the pipe renovation project. His proactive approach and commitment to community welfare led to a successful agreement: the construction team agreed to lower the bathroom floor height, effectively easing the daily challenges faced by the elderly residents.
Through such initiatives, the People's Congress continues to evolve, enriching democracy by directly responding to the needs of the people and fostering a more inclusive and supportive community environment.
Reference(s):
70 years on, China's people's congresses keep enriching democracy
cgtn.com
